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Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence increased tensions

Zvecan, 17 February 2009

Serbian Minister for Kosovo-Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said today that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence one year ago created a dangerous precedent which has led to increased instability and tension.

Speaking at a session of the Assembly of the Community of Municipalities of the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija held in Zvecan, Bogdanovic said that Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence was a violation of international law and the UN Charter, adding that those who supported it now admit that Kosovo has become a security risk.

The Minister said that the process of recognizing Kosovo’s independence has come to a halt because of the Serbian government’s diplomatic efforts that resulted in the issue reaching the International Court of Justice.

He said that Serbia has thus gained importance as a factor in regional stability and this success shows that Belgrade cannot be bypassed when it comes to the Kosovo issue, because Serbia will never abandon the struggle for its southern province.

He said that Serbia does not want conflict; it wants to improve living standards and to safeguard its territorial integrity. He recommended the leaders of the Kosovo Albanians to be aware of the fact that the future cannot be built on conflict.

Similarly, international representatives in Kosovo should know that Serbia is their key partner but Serbia’s policy towards them will depend on the steps they take.

Bogdanovic said that not consulting Belgrade or Serb local self-government representatives in Kosovo will not contribute to the efforts for improving relations.

Speaking about the six-item UN plan, Bogdanovic said that the purpose of the plan is to improve the very difficult conditions in Kosovo.

We have a serious and long negotiations process ahead of us but the negotiations will lead to a better future, stressed the Minister, adding that it is important for Serbia to become economically stronger because only then will it be able to defend Kosovo.

We want to provide employment to the people in the southern Serbian province and the government has allocated funds for helping them, said Bogdanovic, adding that his Ministry has also prepared a strategy for sustainable existence and return.

He reiterated that the accumulated problems in the province must be resolved, such as the problems of displaced persons, confiscated property, investigation into war crimes against Serbs including human organ trafficking, for which Serbia expects help from European judicial institutions.

Bogdanovic also called on the Kosovo Serbs to remain calm and to have faith in their country, Serbia.

The Assembly delegates today unanimously adopted a declaration on the affirmation of Serbia’s constitutional order and the rejection of all unilateral and separatist acts by the interim institutions of Pristina regarding the independence of the province.

The autonomous province of Kosovo, on the basis of the Serbian Constitution, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1244, the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and other binding legal documents, is part of the single and indivisible territory of the sovereign state Serbia, reads the declaration.

The Assembly rejects as null and void all acts which unilaterally declare Kosovo’s independence and by which institutions of the so called state of Kosovo are formed.

The Assembly does not recognize and rejects all decisions by the Kosovo interim institutions concerning the formation of the Kosovo security forces because these decisions violate the Serbian Constitution and Resolution 1244.

The Assembly demands from the government to file suit before the International Court of Justice against states that have recognized Kosovo’s illegitimate unilateral declaration of independence in violation of the binding norms of international law, particularly the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and Resolution 1244.

The Assembly appealed to the government to call for, in accordance with Resolution 1244, an urgent Security Council session to nullify the decision regarding the deployment of EULEX in Kosovo because, contrary to Security Council decisions, the mission is implementing the Ahtisaari Plan, which did not receive UN approval.

The Assembly demands from all Serbian institutions to communicate concerning all questions, in accordance with Resolution 1244, solely with UNMIK and KFOR, as the only legitimate UN bodies in the southern province.

The Declaration was adopted at the Assembly’s session in Zvecan in the presence of Serbian MPs.

After the adoption of the declaration, Bogdanovic said that this sends a very powerful message to the Kosovo Serbs, the international community and the Albanians that Serbia and the Serbian people in Kosovo, do not wish to give up part of their territory.